VISPA Directory of Services.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy for people who are blind or vision impaired between the ages of 0 – 22 falls into three broad categories:
- Compensatory, which consists of providing modifications;
- Supportive, which involves working with optometrists and ophthalmologists; and
- Remedial, in which the therapist works to restore or improve vision.
Provided by:
- ChildVision - National Education Centre for Blind Children Tel: 01 8373635 (0-22 years)
Orientation & Mobility
Orientation & mobility training enables people to move around safely and independently both indoors and outdoors including accessing public transport. Training is tailored to individual requirements of children and adults and may involve the use of a mobility aid such as a long cane or guide dog. Long cane training is available to people of all ages.
On offer are a range of home based, community based and residential based training programmes which include:
- Introduction to Orientation and Mobility Training
- Advanced Travel and Transport Training
Provided by:
- NCBI - Working for People with Sight Loss Tel: 1850 334353
- Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind Tel: 1850 506300
- ChildVision - National Education Centre for Blind Children Tel: 01 8373635 (0-22 years)
- Individual therapy to people who are blind or vision impaired.
- Postural management / walkers, standers.
- Training of staff – handling children and exercise programs.
- Manual handling training.
- ChildVision - National Education Centre for Blind Children Tel: 01 8373635 (0-22 years only)
- Introduction to Pottery
- Arts and Crafts
- Advanced Ceramics
- Digital Photography
- Cookery – introductory and advanced
- Music for Leisure
- Movement and Relaxation
- ChildVision - National Education Centre for Blind Children Tel: 01 8373635
- NCBI - Working for People with Sight Loss Tel: 1850 334353
- Fighting Blindness Tel: 01 7093050
- Visual impairment
- Development delay
- Sensory impairments e.g. hearing loss
- Physical disabilities e.g. Cerebral Palsy
- Learning disability
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- ChildVision - National Education Centre for Blind Children Tel: 01 8373635 (0-22 years)
- Support and Employment.
- Life Skills/Independent Living Skills.
- Orientation and mobility.
- Job seeking skills.
- Exploration of employment options.
- Preparation for employment or further education/training.
- ChildVision - National Education Centre for Blind Children Tel: 01 8373635 (0-22 years)
- NCBI - Working for People with Sight Loss Tel: 1850 334353 (18 years and over) Tel: 1850 334353
Physiotherapy
Specialist Physiotherapy addresses the needs of children and young people who are blind or vision impaired to best determine how to facilitate their development. It includes:
Provided by:
Social Activities
Social activities provide an opportunity to bring people together to share interests and experiences. These can include short breaks away, one day events, weekly activities and summer camps at home and abroad.
A range of home based, centre based and residential based training programmes are available including:
Participation in local sports and leisure activities are supported through advocacy awareness and promotion of accessibility. Participation by people who are vision impaired or blind in activity/sports based fundraising events as well as links with Irish Blind Sports and the National League of the Blind, open up an ever increasing range of options to people.
Provided by:
Speech & Language Therapy
Assessment and treatment of speech and language disorders including those associated with:
Provided by:
Vocational Training
Training is delivered on a one-to-one or a group basis and is tailored to suit the needs of the individual. It can lead to further training, open or supported employment and/or independent living. Training is accredited and includes:
Residential services, consisting of fully staffed group housing in the local community is available from Sunday to Friday afternoons for Vocational Students attending St. Josephs.
Provided by: